Code punching device



2 LR I 4 Jan. 16, 1962 L. D. BEAVERSON 3,016,781

CODE PUNCHING DEVICE Filed May 31, 1960 S Sheets-Sheet 1 L2 74 illwlRUIN".

INVENTOR. LOWELL D. BEAVERSON ATTORNEY Jan. 16, 1962 L. D. BEAVERSONCODE PUNCHING DEVICE Filed May 51, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 2 mi" 40 42 lINVENTOR. LOWELL o. BEAVERSON ATTORNEY Jan. 16, 1962 L. D. BEAVERSON3,016,731

CODE PUNCHING DEVICE Filed May 31, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 4

INVENTOR. LOWELL D. BEAVERSON ATTORNEY 3,016,781 CUBE PUNCWG DEVICELowell D. Eeaverson, Minneapolis, Minn, assignor to General Mills, him,a corporation of Delaware Filed May 31, 1969, Ser. No. 32,731 9 Claims.(til. 33633) This invention relates generally to tape punchingapparatus, and pertains more particularly to a device for punching holesin tapes in accordance with a desired code or program.

One object of this invention is to provide a code punching device thatis capable of providing a particular hole pattern in a single tape or ina plurality of such tapes. In this way, if only one tape is needed forsubsequent playback in the recorded control of dispensing, blending,mixing and other automated operations, such a tape can be readilyproduced. Yet, on the other hand, if it is known that duplicate tapeswill be required for a plurality of individually controlled operationsof an identical nature, these additional tapes can be punchedsimultaneously with no more effort and expense than in the punching of asingle tape.

Another object is to provide a code punching device that is quite simplein its construction, such simplicity making the device easily used byinexperienced personnel. Also, it is an aim of the invention to providea tape punching device of the envisaged character which is rugged andlong lasting.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tape punching devicethat is light in weight and which can be easily transported from placeto place. Also, a feature of the invention lies in the fact that thedevice is manually operated, requiring no source of electric power.

Other objects will be in part obvious, and in part pointed out more indetail hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will beexemplified in the construction hereafter set forth and the scope of theapplication which will be indicated in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a code punching device exemplifying myinvention;

PEG. 2 is a front elevational view corresponding to FIGURE 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken in the direction of line 3-3 of FIGURE1;

FIG. 4- is a sectional view taken in the direction of line d4 of FIGURE1.

Referring now in detail to the various views the device comprises arectangular frame denoted generally by the reference numeral it). Thisframe includes several vertically disposed plates 12, 14 and 16. Theplates 12 and 1d serve as bearings for several rotatable shafts orspindles 1d, 2d and 22, the spindles 18, 2d projecting in a cantileverfashion from the plate 14. The purpose of the spindle i3 is to carry aplurality of tape supply reels 24 and is of hollow tubular constructionfor a reason explained below. These reels 24 are loosely circumscribedabout the spindle 18 so as to be rotatable with respect thereto. Asshown in FIGURE 1, a spacer or washer 26 is interposed between adjacentreels 24. Another spacer or shoulder 23 maintains the assemblage ofreels 24 in a preferred axial position on the spindle iii. For thepurpose of retaining the various reels 24 in position on the spindle 13and for loading the reels axially to render them locked on the shaft inthe rewind operation, a recessed nut member 29 is provided forattachment to the threaded end 31 of a rod 30 extending completelythrough the tubular spindle. The nut memnite rates atent O "ice her 29is applied after the reels have been placed on the spindle 18.

As best viewed in FIG. 2 it will be discerned that the hollow spindle 18has afiixed thereto a ratchet labelled 32, this ratchet being engaged bya spring pawl 34 so that the spindle is normally prevented from beingturned or rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in this particularfigure. However, a knob 36 is provided at the end of the spindle l8opposite from the member 29 for rotating the spindle 18 in acounter-clockwise direction when it is desired to take-up or rewind thevarious tapes presently to be referred to. Inasmuch as the reelsnormally are free to rotate with respect to the spindle 18, when payingout their tapes it becomes desirable to provide a clamping action duringthe rewinding function in order to cause the various reels 24 to rotatein unison with the spindle 18 during any tape rewinding. To accomplishthis, the spindle i8 is threaded at 37. A nut member 38 is threaded onthe section 37 and normally bears against the knob 36. Through theagency of a head 3'9 on the rod 30, it will be appreciated that when thenut member 38 is backed away from the knob 36 it forces the head 37 andthe rod 30 in a direction so as to draw the nut member 29 against thereel 24 adjacent thereto, thereby clamping all of the other reelstherebetween due to the presence of the shoulder 28.

Inasmuch as the reels 24 have been denoted as supply reels, it can nowbe stated that these reels each carry a supply of tape designated by thereference numeral 40. Each tape dll may be of plastic material and isformed with a series of sprocket engaging holes 42 along its marginaledges, resembling the holes usually found in a conventional motionpicture film.

A number of take-up reels 44 is carried on the spindle 2d. The number oftake-up reels 44 corresponds of course to the number of supply reels 24.However, while they may be of identical construction, the manner inwhich they are retained on the spindle 20 is somewhat different. It willbe observed that the spindle 20 is formed with a series of axiallyspaced circumferential grooves 4-6 which serve to position each of thereels 44 longitudinally on the spindle 20. The specific manner in whichthis is accomplished is not of the utmost importance, but a glance atFIG. 4 will show that a diametrically stretched wire 48 on each reel 44is designed to engage an arcuate portion of each groove 46 when thevarious reels 44 are placed on the spindle 26. These wires 48 not onlyaid in locating the reels 44 along the spindle 20 but also providefrictional engagement so that the reels 44 are free to slip during thetake-up of the various tapes 40, as will become clearer as thedescription progresses.

The manner in which the spindle 20 is driven will now be explained. Inthis regard, it is to be observed that a pulley St is affixed to thespindle 20 so as to be rotatable therewith. A second pulley 52 isafiixed to the spindle 22. A coil spring tape or belt 54 is entrainedabout both of these pulleys 5d, 52. Hence, by means of a knob 55, itwill be understood that the spindle 20 is driven when the spindle 22 iscaused to rotate by the mere turning of the knob 55.

While the spindle 22 serves to rotate the spindle 20, it will now bepointed out that this spindle 22 also performs another importantfunction. Accordingly, it will be observed that the spindle 22 carries asprocket drum 56 provided with a plurality of cogs or teeth 58. Thesecogs 58 are spaced along the surface of the drum 56 so as to beengageable with the various holes 42. The tapes 40 are normallymaintained in engagement with the drum 56 through the agency of a roller59 rotatably carried between a pair of rocker arms 60. The arms 60 aresecured at one end to a rock shaft 61 actuatable by a knob 62 forswinging the roller 59 from the solid line position in which it appearsin FIG. 4 to the raised phantom position there shown, a second roller 5%then lifting the tapes 40 out of engagement with the sprocket teeth 58,thereby facilitating rewinding of the tapes 48.

Although the need therefor will not be completely understood at thismoment, it will be explained nonetheless that the spindle 2'2additionally supports a beveled gear 63a which meshes with anotherbeveled gear 6312 connected to a dial counter indicated generally by thereference numeral 64. This dial counter 64 is of conventionalconstruction and has a knob 66 by which the various number wheelscontained therein may be initially set for proper viewing through arectangular window 68. Owing to the fixed drive between the spindle 22and the counter 64, coupled with the direct engagement of the variouscogs 58 on the drum 56 with the tape holes 42, any registration of thecounter 64 will be indicative of the distance through which the tapes 40have been moved. Stated somewhat differently, the counter 64 is drivenin a direct relation with the linear distance through whfch the tapes 40are moved during the coding operation which has not yet been described.To assure a true digital registration of the counter 64, the spindle 22additionally carries a notched wheel 68 which is engaged by a springpressed detent mechanism 70. Thus, rotation of the spindle 22 willnormally be made in discrete incremental steps governed by theengagement of the detent mechanism 70 and the various notches formed inthe wheel 68, and the registration in the window 68 of the counter 64will be in whole numbers.

Turning now to the specific mechanism by which the punched code iseffected, attention is drawn to the employment of a pair of rockerplates 72 and 74. These rocker plates 72 and 74 are pivotally orhingedly supported by two pair of pivot pins 76, the pivot pins 76 beingsituated near the remote edges of these plates and carried by thevertical plates 14, 16 as best viewed in FIGURE 1. The adjacent edges ofthe plates 72, 74 are formed with inter-fitting projections 78, 80. Itwill be readily discerned that the projections 78 are considerably widerthan the projections 80. The reason for the differences in projectionwidths will soon be clearly understood.

Superimposed above the rocker plates 72, 74 is a punch and die assemblyindicated generally by the reference numeral 82. The assembly 82, itwill be noted, includes upper and lower guide plates 86, 88. As can bemost readily seen from FIG. 3, these guide plates 86, 88 have a seriesof spaced apertures 90 extending therethrough and arranged in groups ofthree. Each aperture 90 accommodates a vertically reciprocable punchelement 92, 94 or 96. These punch elements 92-96 are normally urgeddownwardly in the direction of the rocker plates 72 74. A coil spring 97encircling each punch element reacts against the underside of the upperdie plate 86 and a flange 98 integral with the punch element itself inachieving the downward bias. From FIG. 3, it will be seen that the punchelements. 92 and 96 bear against the wider projections 78 whereas thecentrally disposed punch element 94 of each group bears against thenarrower projections 80. Although not as yet. described, it is believedevident at this time that the rocker plates 72, 74 are responsible forurging the punch elements 9296 upwardly to overcome the biasing actionof their springs 97. Because of the reduced scale of FIG. 3, it cannotbe ascertained that the lengths of the various punch elements 92% arepreferably staggered so that these punch elements are not actuated inunison but instead in a progressive manner thereby requiring a lesserdegree of force than if they were all acted upon simultaneously.

Since it is planned that the various tapes 48 pass over the? upper.die'plate 86, this die plate 86 is formed with a plurality of channelsor. grooves 100, these grooves being approximately the same width as thetapes 40. Also, the punch and die assembly includes a die plate 102positioned immediately above the guide plate 86. FIG. 3 shows quiteclearly that the guide plate 182 is formed with apertures 104 which arelocated in registry with the apertures 98. It is through the agency ofthese apertures 194 that the upper ends of the various punch elements92% are received after passage through the tapes 40. In other words, theholes that are desired to be punched in the tapes will be producedthrough the restraint imposed by the die plate 182. The removed portionsof the tapes 40 are merely pushed upwardly and remain within theconfines of a transparent shield 10d. Periodically the punched outwafers can be removed.

From FIG. 4 it can be seen that a pair of transverse plates 188, isemployed. It is through the agency of these plates that the rockerplates 72, 74 are normally maintained in a horizontal plane, the plates72, 74 merely resting upon the upper edges of the tranvesrse plates 188,110. The opposite ends of transverse plates 188, 110 are welded orotherwise secured to the previously mentioned plates 14, 16; hence, theplates 108, 110 impart rigidity and unity to the overall frame 18.Stated somewhat differently, the plates 198, 11th maintain a fixedrelationship between the plate 16 and the plate 12 and the plate 14.Suitable struts such as those labelled 112 function to maintain theplates 12 and 14 in a fixed relationship with each other. A further andvery important function of the transverse plates 108, 110 is for thesupport of a pin 114. This pin serves as a pivot for a pair of actuatinglevers 116, 118. Suitable spacers such as those denoted by the referencenumeral 128 and 122 maintain the levers 116 and 118 in the properlocations beneath the rocker plates 72, 74 respectively. The levers 116and 118 are equipped with keys 124 and 126, respectively, by which theselevers may be manually actuated. It will be understood, it is believed,that depressing either key 124, 126 will cause its associated lever 116,118 to be pivoted about the pin 114 so as to cause the lever endunderlying the rocker plate 72 or 74, as the case may be, to be forcedupwardly with an accompanying upward swinging or pivoting of said plates72, 74.

As a refinement to the invention, attention is now directed to theemployment of a dial counter 128 which is similar to the dial counter64. The dial counter 128 is directly associated with the lever 116,there being an arm 130 which underlies the lever 116 so that when itskey 124 is depressed a registration will occur on the counter 128. Thecounter 128 is provided with a viewing window 132 via which theregistration can be observed. A reset knob 134 permits the counter to bereturned to a preferred initial setting. A similar counter can beemployed in conjunction with the lever 118. However, for the sake ofdrafting simplicity, only one counter 128 has been pictured. The roleplayed by the counter 128, as is believed evident, is to count thenumber of times that the key 124 is depressed. In this way, when aparticular code demands that a certain number of holes be punched in thetapes 48, an accurate check can be made as to the number of times thelever 116 is actuated to form these holes. By the same token, anycounter coupled to the lever 118 will show the number of times thislever has been actuated to form the holes that it makes when actuated.Having presented the foregoing description, the operation of my codepunching device should be readily apparent. However, a brief operationalsequence will undoubtedly be of assistance in appreciating all of thebenefits that are derivable from the invention. Accordingly, it will bepresumed that the various reels 24 have been properly positioned on thespindle 18. Further, the tapes 40 stored on these supply reels 24 arethreaded through the punch and die assembly 82, then between the rollers59, 58a and finally attached to the take-up reels 44 which are assumedto have been positioned on the spindle 20. In threading the varioustapes 40 through the punch and die assembly 82, it will be appreciatedthat this action brings the tapes 40 into the various grooves 100. Inthis way, they pass above the upper ends of the various punch elements92, 94 and 96. It is important at this time to note that a trio of punchelements is included in each of the eight groups, there being eighttapes 40 illustrated. The plates 72 are responsible through the agencyof their projections 78 for raising the punch elements 92., 95. On theother hand, the other rocker plates '74 are similarly responsible viatheir various projections 80 for lifting the centrally disposed punchelements Q4.

Consequently, when the key 124 is depressed, the lever 116 will bepivoted about the pin 114 so as to cause the plate 72 to rock upwardly,thereby forcing the punch elements 92, 96 of each group upwardly throughthat portion of the tape 44 then immediately above these punch elements.Owing to this happening, it can be appreciated that a pair of laterallyspaced holes 140 is punched in the tape. if the tape remains stationaryand only the key 126 is punched, a single centrally disposed hole 142 isformed. However, when both keys 124- and 126 are depressed at a givenstation or tape location, the three abreast holes Milt, 142 are punched.After this, the user can turn the knob 55 so as to move the tapeforwardly until he is ready to punch additional holes. The counter s4will always inform the user as to the distance through which the tapesill are moved. In this way, one hole, two holes or three holes can bepunched at spaced intervals along the tapes dd, thereby permanentlyincorporating into the tapes themselves a desired code or program.

Recognition is made of the fact that a starting point is usually desiredon any given tape. To accomplished this aim so that the tapes ill willbe punched in a completely duplicated manner, a reference mark Md can beplaced across the plate 102, or if preferred, the edge of this plate maybe utilized. In any event, it will be recognized that the leading endsof tapes 40 which are wrapped around the reels 44 will not necessarilypresent the same relative sections of tape to the punch and die assembly82.. Accordingly, some reference mark should be normally used. As shown,one hole 142 on each tape ad has been brought into registry with themark 144, and in the illustrated situation the leading hole 142functions as the reference holes, on the subsequent holes then all beingin a predetermined relationship along each tape 4-9.

After the user has punched the various holes 140, 1 52 v in a selectedmanner to form the desired code, the tape may be rewound onto theirsupply reels 24, if desired. This action is facilitated by means of therocker arms as which carry the roller 5% therebetween. The rocker armsdt'i can be swung upwardly into their dotted lin positions about theirsupporting shaft 61 (see FIG. 4). This will lift the tape off the cogsof drum 56. When in their phantom relationship, it will be appreciatedthat the tapes 4t) can be quickly rewound on the reels 24.

Mention has already been made of the threaded end 37 on the spindle 13.As previously pointed out, rotation of the nut member 38 in a clockwisedirection, the threads 37 being preferably lefthanded, will cause aclamping of the various reels 24 on the spindle 18, this coming about byreason of the threaded action drawing the member 29 against theparticular reel 24 lying adjacent thereto. All the other reels are thenmoved toward the spacer or shoulder 28 to effect the desired clampingaction. It will be understood, though, that when the tapes areoriginally withdrawn or payed from these reels 24 the reels are free torotate upon the spindle 18; it is only when the tapes 49 are to berewound that thev are caused to be rotated with the spindle 18.

Owing to the need for providing a linear measurement or" the amount oftape movement when performing the punching operation, the counter 64 isdriven in a direct relationship with the number of revolutions made bythe spindle 2.2. Inasmuch as the diameter of the tape taken up by thereels ad will be constantly increasing during a coding operation, itshould be noted that a certain amount of slippage of the reels 44 willoccur on the spindle 20 as the tape diameter gets progressively greater.The Wires 48 usually permit such slippage, because they onlyfrictionally bear against the bottoms of the circumferential grooves 46,and additional slippage can occur between the belt 44 and the pulleys5t), 52. All that is necessary is that the tape be maintained in arelatively taut condition between the take-up reels 44 and the sprocketdrum 56. Of course, any slippage that occurs beyond the location of thedrum 56 will not adversely affect the accuracy of any counterregistration that results. Consequently, it is believed manifest thatthe linear measurement previously alluded to will always be made.Therefore, if one is to have a one-half inch spacing between the variousholes Md, say such spacing can be accurately derived. On the other handany modification of the spacing can be made between succeeding holes,that is, different stations, so that the code can be predicated uponlinear distance as well as to the number of holes 140, 14 2 punched ateach station.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and manyapparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be madewithout departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all mattercontained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawingsshall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the language used in the followingclaims is intended to cover all of the generic and specific features ofthe invention herein described and all statements of the scope of theinvention which, as a matter of language, might: be said to falltherebetween.

What is claimed:

1. A coding device comprising means for holding a record medium that isto have formed thereon a desired code, a pair of fiat rocker platesmounted for pivotal movement about their opposite edges and havingsubstantially parallel adjacent edges, a first coding means actuatableby one of said plates for forming one portion of said code on the recordmedium, a second coding means actuatable by the other of said plates forforming a second portion of said code on the record. medium, and a pairof pivotal levers each engageable with a rocker plate for causingpivoting thereof and consequent actuation of the particular coding meansassociated therewith.

2. A coding device in accordance with claim 1 in which said codeconstitutes a plurality of holes to be formed in said record medium, andsaid first and second coding means each includes at least one punchelement.

3. A coding device comprising means for holding a record medium that isto have a desired code punched therein, a pair of rocker plates havinginterfitting projections on their adjacent edges residing in the generalplane of its particular plate, hinge means at the remote edges of saidplates for mounting said plates for individual pivotal movement from acommon plane to inclined intersecting planes, a first punch elementlocated so as to be actuated by the projection on one plate, and asecond punch element located so as to be actuated by the projection onthe other plate.

4. A coding device comprising means for holding a record tape that is tohave a desired code punched therein, a trio of punch elements disposedin a substantially straight line, a pair of hingedly mounted rockerplates normally residing in a generally common plane, one of said plateshaving a projection engageable with the centrally disposed punch elementand the other of said plates having a projection located at each side ofsaid firstmentioned projection and in transverse alignment with saidfirst-rnentioned projection, whereby when said one plate is rocked, saidcentrally disposed punch element will be actuated, and when said otherplate is rocked, the other punch elements will be actuated.

5. A coding device in accordance with claim 4 including a pivotal leverassociated with each plate for causing rocking thereof.

6. A coding device in accordance with claim 5 including spring means forbiasing said punch elements toward said plates.

7. A coding device comprising means for holding a plurality of tapesupply reels, means for holding a plurality of tape take-up reels, atrio of punch elements for each supply reel, said punch elements allbeing arranged in a row, a pair of rocker plates, one of said plateshaving a plurality of relatively narrow projections engageable with themiddle punch element of each trio and the other of said rocker plateshaving a plurality of relatively wide projections interfitting with saidrelatively narrow projections and engageable with the nearer punchelements of adjacent trios, and a manually actuatable lever for eachrocker plate for individually operating same to cause holes to bepunched in tapes extending between said supply and take-up reels.

8. A coding device in accordance with claim 7 including means formeasuring the linear distance through which said tapes are moved.

9. A coding device in accordance with claim 7 in which said means forholding a plurality of tape supply reels includes a tubular spindlerotatably supported at one end, a rod extending through said spindle, adetachable enlarged member normally carried on the projecting end ofsaid rod and a threaded mechanism situated at said one end of thespindle for drawing said rod and its detachaale member in a direction toclamp said supply reels.

References Qited in the file or" this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS158,158 Wheatstone Dec. 22, 1874 1,812,620 Braitrnayer June 30, 19312,419,781 Keefe Apr. 29, 1947

